NameCensus.

UK surname

Mantell

A habitational name derived from place names in England meaning "small hill or mound".

In the 1881 census there were 305 people recorded with the Mantell surname, ranking it #9,615 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 467, ranked #10,522, down from #9,615 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Lewes St John-under-the-Castle. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hart, Bexley and Mendip.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mantell is 525 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 53.1%.

1881 census count

305

Ranked #9,615

Modern count

467

2016, ranked #10,522

Peak year

1999

525 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mantell had 305 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,615 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 467 in 2016, ranked #10,522.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 507 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Mantell surname distribution map

The map shows where the Mantell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Mantell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mantell over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 175 #11,542
1861 historical 189 #12,570
1881 historical 305 #9,615
1891 historical 406 #8,765
1901 historical 488 #8,194
1911 historical 507 #7,760
1997 modern 508 #9,195
1998 modern 521 #9,296
1999 modern 525 #9,307
2000 modern 522 #9,313
2001 modern 499 #9,483
2002 modern 509 #9,509
2003 modern 475 #9,848
2004 modern 470 #9,958
2005 modern 455 #10,126
2006 modern 444 #10,347
2007 modern 441 #10,513
2008 modern 445 #10,521
2009 modern 464 #10,407
2010 modern 472 #10,488
2011 modern 473 #10,376
2012 modern 474 #10,254
2013 modern 473 #10,436
2014 modern 478 #10,428
2015 modern 471 #10,467
2016 modern 467 #10,522

Geography

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Where Mantells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Lewes St John-under-the-Castle and Blandford Town, Pimperne. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hart, Bexley, Mendip and Bournemouth. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Lewes St John-under-the-Castle Sussex
5 Blandford Town, Pimperne Dorset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hart 007 Hart
2 Bexley 010 Bexley
3 Mendip 014 Mendip
4 Bexley 008 Bexley
5 Bournemouth 003 Bournemouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mantell

These lists show first names that appear often with the Mantell surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mantell

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mantell, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Mantell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mantell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Mantell is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mantell is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mantell falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mantell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Mantell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mantell

The surname Mantell originated in England during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "mantel," which referred to a cloak or mantle. It is possible that the name was initially given as a nickname to someone who wore a distinctive mantle or cloak.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mantell can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where a person named Willelmus Mantel is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by the 13th century in England.

Another early reference to the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296, where a John Mantel is listed. This record provides evidence that the name was present in the county of Sussex during the late 13th century.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various spellings, including Mantell, Mantel, and Mantle. One notable individual from this period was Sir Walter Mantell (c. 1508-1576), a Member of Parliament who served during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

The Mantell name has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One such individual was Gideon Mantell (1790-1852), a pioneering English geologist and paleontologist who made significant contributions to the study of dinosaur fossils. He is credited with discovering and naming several species, including the Iguanodon and the Hylaeosaurus.

Another prominent figure was Walter Mantell (1820-1895), a New Zealand politician and explorer who served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 1860s. He was also involved in the exploration and surveying of the South Island of New Zealand.

In the literary realm, Robert Mantell (1854-1928) was a renowned English-born actor and producer who gained fame for his performances in Shakespearean plays. He toured extensively throughout the United States and Canada, popularizing classic works to audiences across North America.

Reginald Mantell (1872-1958) was a British actor and playwright who made significant contributions to the theater world in the early 20th century. He wrote several plays and acted in numerous productions, both in London's West End and on Broadway.

The Mantell surname has also been associated with places, such as the village of Mantell in the county of Dorset, England. This place name further reinforces the connection between the surname and its geographical roots in England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mantell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mantell surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 67 Mantells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.31x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 67 2.31x
Surrey 35 2.48x
Dorset 34 17.88x
Sussex 32 6.55x
Lincolnshire 18 3.89x
Kent 17 1.72x
Staffordshire 13 1.33x
Hampshire 11 1.85x
Wiltshire 10 3.90x
Worcestershire 10 2.64x
Gloucestershire 8 1.41x
Essex 6 1.05x
Northumberland 6 1.39x
Somerset 5 1.07x
Warwickshire 5 0.68x
Ayrshire 4 1.84x
Devon 3 0.50x
Glamorgan 3 0.59x
Shropshire 3 1.20x
Herefordshire 2 1.68x
Renfrewshire 2 0.89x
Lanarkshire 1 0.11x
Lancashire 1 0.03x
Suffolk 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 17 Mantells recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.29x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 17 7.29x
Blandford Forum 15 400.00x
Kensington London 13 8.07x
Brighton 10 10.15x
Chatham 9 33.10x
Willenhall 9 49.13x
Gainsborough 8 73.26x
Kings Norton 8 23.58x
Norwood 8 120.85x
Corfe Castle 7 397.73x
Forthampton 7 1707.32x
Sibsey 7 673.08x
Brading 6 76.05x
Fordington 6 146.34x
Hanwell 6 116.73x
Holywell 6 270.27x
Horne 6 869.57x
Lewes All Sts 6 307.69x
Newington 6 5.61x
Mitcham 5 56.05x
Swindon 5 25.16x
Braintree 4 77.82x
Broadwater 4 35.71x
Deptford St Paul 4 5.25x
Newhaven 4 100.76x
Rottingdean 4 239.52x
South Tidworth 4 1739.13x
Southwark St Saviour 4 26.86x
St Martin In Fields 4 23.07x
St Marylebone London 4 2.59x
Tottenham 4 8.67x
Wembdon 4 289.86x
West Bromwich 4 7.14x
Bishops Castle In 3 205.48x
Cricklade St Mary 3 731.71x
Girvan 3 55.15x
Great Gonerby 3 252.10x
Kingston On Thames 3 8.85x
Lambeth 3 1.19x
Lewes St John 3 555.56x
Llandaff 3 17.88x
Puddletown 3 256.41x
St George Martyr 3 61.48x
Birmingham 2 0.82x
Bromley London 2 3.14x
Camberwell 2 1.08x
Chelsea London 2 2.29x
Dovercourt 2 99.50x
Halstead 2 416.67x
Honiton 2 59.88x
Lyonshall 2 232.56x
Middle Greenock 2 32.63x
Redmarley 2 202.02x
Richmond 2 10.11x
Alverstoke 1 4.65x
Ash Normandy 1 52.08x
Aston 1 0.50x
Barony 1 0.42x
Charminster 1 66.23x
Cheltenham 1 2.28x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 1.83x
Coventry Holy Trinity 1 4.58x
Dailly 1 45.25x
Edgbaston 1 4.42x
Frome 1 8.97x
Godalming 1 11.25x
Greenwich 1 2.17x
Hendon 1 9.60x
Hornsey 1 2.73x
Ipswich St Mary Key 1 108.70x
Latton 1 384.62x
Lewes St Ann 1 60.24x
Longburton 1 263.16x
Orpington 1 33.00x
Paddington London 1 0.94x
Petersham 1 178.57x
Stoke 1 40.98x
Stoke Newington London 1 4.43x
Trowbridge 1 8.83x
Wimbledon 1 6.31x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mantell surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 17
Sarah 13
Elizabeth 10
Ellen 9
Fanny 7
Jane 5
Alice 4
Ann 4
Annie 4
Catherine 4
Emily 4
Caroline 3
Eliza 3
Harriet 3
Laura 3
Lucy 3
Ada 2
Anne 2
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Margaret 2
Aveline 1
Bertha 1
Betsey 1
Dorothy 1
E. 1
Eleanor 1
Elizh. 1
Ella 1
Esther 1
Florence 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Infant 1
L. 1
Lillin 1
Lilly 1
Lizze 1
Maggie 1
Martha 1
Maude 1
P. 1
Phoebe 1
Priscilla 1
R. 1
Rosetta 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mantell surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 16
John 13
George 12
James 11
Charles 10
Henry 10
Arthur 6
Joseph 6
Thomas 6
Frederick 4
Richard 4
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Edward 3
David 2
Ernest 2
Luke 2
Phillip 2
Tom 2
Aaron 1
Alexander 1
E. 1
Erastus 1
Even 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Geo. 1
Gilbert 1
Harry 1
Hugh 1
Jarvis 1
Jas. 1
Michael 1
Mills 1
Patrick 1
Philip 1
Reginald 1
Richd.C. 1
Richd.Chas. 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Sydney 1
T. 1
T.M. 1
Thos. 1
Thos.A. 1
Walter 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Mantell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mantell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 305 people were recorded with the Mantell surname. That placed it at #9,615 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mantell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 467 in 2016. That gives Mantell a modern rank of #10,522.

What does the Mantell surname mean?

A habitational name derived from place names in England meaning "small hill or mound".

What does the Mantell map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mantell bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.